Categorized and tagged video annotation

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises a first computer obtaining access to a digitally stored video program and causing playing the video program in a player window of a second computer, wherein the player window includes a linear graphical timeline representing the video program; the first computer receiving from the second computer location input data specifying a point in the video program and determining a time value of the point in the video program; receiving comment type input data indicating a particular comment type among a plurality of available comment types; receiving comment input data; creating and storing, in electronic digital storage coupled to the first computer, a record that associates an identifier of the video program, the time value, the comment type input data, and the comment input data; causing displaying, in the timeline at a position that is proportional to the point, a marker having a particular distinctive appearance from among a plurality of distinctive appearances that correspond respectively to the plurality of available comment types.

BENEFIT CLAIM

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as acontinuation of application Ser. No. 17/164,830, filed Feb. 1, 2021,which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 15/986,685, filed May 22, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,908,778, granted Feb. 2, 2021, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/015,932, filedAug. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,001,904, granted Jun. 19, 2018,which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of provisionalapplication 61/839,794, filed Jun. 26, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein. The applicants hereby rescind any disclaimer of claimscope in the parent applications or the prosecution history thereof andadvise the USPTO that the claims in this application may be broader thanany claim in the parent applications.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to creating, storing and usingannotations with an audiovisual program such as a stored digital video.The disclosure relates more specifically to improved techniques forassociation of annotations with both categories and tags in a taxonomy,and related search and organization operations.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

Computer-based systems and applications permit playing videos andentering comments on the videos. For example, the YouTube serviceenables registered users to create and store comments that areassociated with stored videos. However, current techniques for creatingand storing comments or annotations relating to digital video programsare limited in their utility. Typically it is difficult to correlate aparticular comment with a precise location in the digital video program.The standard approach has been for the person writing the comment tospecify a location in the comment by writing, for example, “At 9:21 thecat starts playing the piano”—referring to a point approximately nineminutes and twenty-one seconds after the start of the video. However,the time references in this type of comment are inaccurate.

Further, the topics in successive comments of this type, entered bydifferent users, may be completely different. It is usually difficult orimpossible to correlate multiple comments relating to the same topic orof the same type. There is also no way to indicate that a particularcomment relates to a public taxonomy or other organizational schemerelating to topics or tags.

SUMMARY

The appended claims may serve as a summary of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example networked computer system with which anembodiment may be implemented.

FIG. 2A illustrates example data sources and an example database record.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example data processing method according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive basic information about a video.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive grade tags and subject tags for a video.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive identification of supporting materialsfor a video.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a supporting materials panel after certain data isentered.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive group sharing information for a video.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive group, taxonomy and visibility data fora video.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window, timeline, markers withdistinctive appearances, and comments.

FIG. 6 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 configured toreceive comment type input and comment text input.

FIG. 7 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 in which thecomment type input and comment text input have been integrated anddisplayed in a comment list.

FIG. 8 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 in which aposition of a play head has changed and the comment list is redisplayedin time synchronization with the position of the play head.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example panel of a graphical user interface thatprovides sharing data for a video.

FIG. 10 illustrates the example panel of FIG. 9 in which a new group hasbeen added to the sharing data.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which an information panel isopen.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which a taxonomy categoryinformation panel is open.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which a next steps panel isopen.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example computer system with which an embodimentmay be implemented.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of using comment type information incombination with video time values and comments to create distinctfunctionality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

1.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW

The disclosure encompasses various embodiments including those of thefollowing enumerated clauses:

1. A data processing method comprising: a first computer obtainingaccess to a digitally stored video program and causing playing the videoprogram in a player window of a second computer, wherein the playerwindow includes a linear graphical timeline representing the videoprogram; the first computer receiving from the second computer locationinput data specifying a point in the video program and determining atime value of the point in the video program; receiving comment typeinput data indicating a particular comment type among a plurality ofavailable comment types; receiving comment input data; creating andstoring, in electronic digital storage coupled to the first computer, arecord that associates an identifier of the video program, the timevalue, the comment type input data, and the comment input data; causingdisplaying, in the timeline at a position that is proportional to thepoint, a marker having a particular distinctive appearance from among aplurality of distinctive appearances that correspond respectively to theplurality of available comment types; wherein the method is performedusing one or more processors.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of distinctiveappearances comprises a plurality of different colors, and wherein thecausing displaying comprises causing displaying the marker using aparticular color that corresponds to the particular comment type.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying, in associationwith the player window, a plurality of count values, in which each ofthe count values is associated with one of the available comment typesand indicates a total number of records in the storage that includecomment type input data corresponding to the associated one of theavailable comment types.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing displaying a commentitem in a scrolling reverse chronological list of a plurality of commentitems, wherein the comment item comprises the time value, the commentinput data, and a graphical icon having a particular distinctiveappearance from among a plurality of distinctive appearances thatcorrespond respectively to the plurality of available comment types.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: causing displaying, nearthe player window, a scrolling reverse chronological list of a pluralityof comment items; wherein each comment item in the plurality of commentitems is for a previously entered annotation and comprises a particulartime value, particular comment input data, and a particular graphicalicon having a particular distinctive appearance from among a pluralityof distinctive appearances that correspond respectively to the pluralityof available comment types; wherein a first comment item in theplurality of comment items has a first particular time value that is ator after a current time value corresponding to a current point of playof the video program.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising determining, during playingof the video program, that the current time value of the current pointof play of the video program is greater than the first particular timevalue, and in response thereto, causing re-displaying the list with anew first comment item in the plurality of comment items that has a newfirst particular time value that is at or after the current time valuecorresponding to the current point of play of the video program.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving taxonomy inputdata indicating a particular category in a taxonomy; creating andstoring, in the record, the particular category in association with theidentifier of the video program, the time value, the comment input, andthe particular category.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the taxonomy is any of a framework anda rubric configured for use in evaluating an effectiveness of aneducator.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving category inputindicating a selection of a particular category from among a pluralityof categories in a taxonomy; storing, in a data repository, a recordcomprising at least an identifier of the video recording, the firstinput, the selection input, the comment input, and the category input;receiving query input identifying the particular category; causingdisplaying a count of all records in the data repository that areassociated with category input matching the query input.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the comment input datacomprises receiving any of text, a video resource or video file, or anaudio resource or audio file.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: repeating the process ofclaim 1 a plurality of times and storing a plurality of differentcomment input data, each associated with a particular taxonomy and aparticular category of the taxonomy; receiving taxonomy input specifyingthe particular taxonomy and the particular category of the taxonomy;generating and causing displaying a compilation video comprising acompilation of a plurality of individual clips from the video program,wherein each of the clips is associated with a different item of thecomment input data that matches the particular taxonomy and category.

2.0 STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW

FIG. 1 illustrates an example networked computer system with which anembodiment may be implemented. A first computer 102 is coupled to one ormore second computers 120 directly or indirectly via one or morenetworks 104. In general, first computer 102 acts as an applicationserver and the second computers 120 are clients. For purposes ofillustrating a clear example, a limited number of second computers 120are shown in FIG. 1, but in other embodiments an arbitrary number ofsecond computers may be used. Network 104 broadly represents one or moreof a LAN, WAN, internetwork, or internet and may include the publicinternet.

Computer 120 executes or hosts a browser 130, which may display one ormore static and/or dynamic HTML documents and other data that thebrowser is capable of receiving over a protocol such as HTTP andrendering in a display unit of the computer 120. In an embodiment, asfurther described in other sections herein, browser 130 receives HTMLdocuments and related data from computer 102 and renders a player window126 in a display unit of the computer 120. In an embodiment, a lineargraphical timeline 128 is also rendered in the display unit near theplayer window 126. Computer 120 also is coupled to video storage 122,which contains a video program 124. In various embodiments, videostorage 122 is locally coupled to computer 120, or the video storage iscoupled to the network 104 and may not be owned or operated by the owneror operator of the computer 120. For example, video storage 122 could bea video storage site that is accessible via the public internet andlocated in a third party data center, cloud service provider, or part ofa third party commercial service. Video storage 122 also could be owned,operated, managed or maintained by an institution, such an enterprise, agovernment entity such as a school district or county board ofeducation, or any other suitable entity. In some embodiments, videostorage 122 may be co-located with computer 102, and owned or operatedby the same entity that controls the computer 102.

Computer 102 comprises, in one embodiment, an HTTP server 106 andstorage 108 coupled to a presentation control unit 116. A comment typeprocessing unit 110, timeline formatting unit 112, and taxonomyprocessing unit 114 are coupled to the presentation control unit 116. Inan embodiment, the HTTP server 106 is configured to serve static and/ordynamic HTML documents, and other content or data that can be servedover HTTP, via network 104 to a compatible client such as browser 130 ofcomputer 120. Storage 108 comprises a relational database, objectdatabase, and/or file server and/or other data repository for files anddata that are used transiently or persistently by the other elements ofcomputer 102.

In an embodiment, the comment type processing unit 110 is configured toreceive comment types and comment text, or other comment data items,associated with comments on a video program and to associate and storethe comment types and comment text in storage 108 in a record thatidentifies the video program. Specific techniques for performing thesefunctions are further described in other sections herein.

In an embodiment, the timeline formatting unit 112 is configured togenerate data that can be rendered at browser 130 to cause displayingthe timeline 128 with particular icons, colors, graphics, or otherelements of a distinctive appearance. Specific techniques for performingthese functions are further described in other sections here.

In an embodiment, taxonomy processing unit 114 is configured to manageone or more taxonomies, each having a plurality of categories, and toreceive taxonomy input that identifies a taxonomy and a category withwhich the video program 124 is associated. Specific techniques forperforming these functions are further described in other sections here.

In an embodiment, presentation control unit 116 is configured to controlinteractions of the computer 120 with other elements of computer 102 andto implement applications, services, or features of a video programcommenting service. For example, presentation control unit 116 may beconfigured to manage user accounts, receive and cause authentication ofuser security credentials, receive and store metadata relating toparticular videos, control the taxonomy processing unit 114 to obtain adefinition of one or more taxonomies and categories for association withthe video program 124, control the comment type processing unit torespond to requests to associate user comments with records in thestorage 108, and control the timeline formatting unit 112 to causedisplaying or redisplaying the timeline 128 using distinct appearancesor indicia associated with comments and other data. Specific techniquesfor performing these functions are further described in other sectionshere.

In an embodiment, each of the processes described in connection with thefunctional units of FIG. 1 may be implemented using one or more computerprograms, other software elements, and/or digital logic in any of ageneral-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, while performingdata retrieval, transformation and storage operations that involveinteracting with and transforming the physical state of memory of thecomputer. The disclosure herein is directed to computer implementationsof the processes, functions and functional units described herein, andthe disclosure is not intended to preempt the use of other practicalimplementations of the processes and functions herein using means otherthan computers.

FIG. 2A illustrates example data sources and an example database record.In an embodiment, as outlined above and as described in more detail inother sections herein, a database record 202 is formed on the basis ofobtaining or receiving information about a video program 124, commenttype input 216, comment text input 218, a taxonomy selection 220, and acategory selection 222 indicating a particular category within ataxonomy identified by the taxonomy selection. Using the processes thatare described in more detail herein, data values from these inputsources are associated in the database record 202. In one embodiment,the record 202 comprises a row in a relational database, but in otherembodiments, the data shown in FIG. 2A may be configured using aplurality of tables, in a graph, or in other forms of datarepresentation.

In an embodiment, database record 202 comprises and associates a videoidentifier 204, comment type 206, comment input 208, time value 210, andcategory 214; optionally, the record also may include an identifier of ataxonomy 202. In one embodiment, the video identifier 204 uniquelyidentifies a particular video program 124. The particular technique usedto generate video identifier 204 is not critical; in one embodiment, forexample, the presentation control unit 116 is configured with a base orseed identifier value, which is increased monotonically as usersregister videos in the system, as further described.

In an embodiment, comment type 206 specifies a particular comment typefrom among a plurality of available comment types. The particularavailable comment types may vary in various embodiments. For example, inan embodiment in which the system is configured to receive commentsabout a video showing a presentation, comment types may include:Questions, Suggestions, Strengths, Notes. Other embodiments that areused for other purposes may have other comment types.

In an embodiment, comment input 208 comprises text expressing a commentabout a particular scene, topic, location, or occurrence within thevideo program 124. In some embodiments, comment input may include richformatted text, or text with encodings that are used in rendering thecomment according to particular type fonts or styles. In someembodiments, comment input at block 218 may comprise a video file, anaudio track, or other audiovisual input that the user records at thetime of commenting on another video, or obtains from storage andassociates with the record 202. In an embodiment, the time value 210indicates a playback time point in the video program 124 with which thecomment input 208 is associated. The time value 210 may be automaticallycalculated in response to an input signal from the user, as furtherdescribed herein, or entered explicitly.

In an embodiment, the category 214 identifies a category in a taxonomy.For example, in educational applications, the taxonomy may be aframework or rubric specifying good education practices, which has beendeveloped by a particular organization or entity, and the techniquesherein enable coding videos against such frameworks or rubrics to helpmeasure conformance or performance in relation to the specifiedframework or rubric. In an embodiment, a name of the taxonomy andpermitted categories are stored in storage 108. In some embodiments, therecord 202 also may include an identifier of the taxonomy 202, or theremay be a single implicit taxonomy.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example data processing method according to anembodiment. In an embodiment, each of the functions described inconnection with the blocks of FIG. 2B may be implemented using one ormore computer programs, other software elements, and/or digital logic inany of a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, whileperforming data retrieval, transformation and storage operations thatinvolve interacting with and transforming the physical state of memoryof the computer. The disclosure herein is directed to computerimplementations of the processes, functions and functional unitsdescribed herein, and the disclosure is not intended to preempt the useof other practical implementations of the processes and functions hereinusing means other than computers.

For purposes of illustrating a clear example, the description of FIG. 2Bis given with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A. Other embodiments may beimplemented in other contexts.

At block 250, the process obtains access to a digitally stored videoprogram. In an embodiment, block 250 involves receiving user inputspecifying a networked storage location of a particular video. The inputmay specify a URL for a video that is available in an online resource,and block 250 may involve accessing the URL and downloading a copy ofthe video or activating streaming delivery of a video stream thatrepresents the program.

At block 252, the process causes playing the video program in a playerwindow with a graphical timeline. In an embodiment, block 252 involvesthe first computer 102 providing instructions to browser 130 at thesecond computer 120 to initiate playing the video program 124 in theplayer window 126, and to display a graphical timeline 128 having a playhead icon that moves along the graphical timeline in approximate timesynchronization with the video program. The instructions may take theform of browser-executable code in JAVASCRIPT or a similar language.

At block 254, the process receives location input data. For example,block 254 involves the browser 130 detecting input from a keyboard,pointing device, or touchscreen of the second computer 120 at a positionassociated with pausing the video or signaling a comment. In oneembodiment, the input is a click, tap, touch or other signal on the playhead icon of the timeline 128; this input means, in effect, “Enter acomment for this point in the video.” Alternatively, the input may be aclick, tap, touch or other signal indicating selection of a button, iconor other user interface widget associated with a prompt such as “Leavecomment now” or a similar message. In an embodiment, block 254 alsoincludes the first computer 102 receiving a time value indicating aplayback time in the video at which the input was received; the timevalue may be determined by the browser-executable code at the secondcomputer and provided in a response or post, using HTTP or anotherprotocol, back to the first computer.

At block 256, the process receives comment type input data identifyingone of a plurality of comment types. In an embodiment, block 256involves receiving input indicating a selection of a tab in a graphicaluser interface, a radio button, or other GUI widget that specifies atype of comment to use for a comment associated with the location inputdata. The particular mechanism with which a user selects a type for acomment is not critical.

At block 258, the process receives taxonomy input data indicating acategory in a particular taxonomy. In various embodiments, block 258 maybe performed at any point in the process and, for example, may beperformed at the time that access to a video program is originallyobtained at block 250. For example, the taxonomy and category applicableto a particular video may be specified as part of a registration processby which a user adds metadata about a particular video to the system.Additionally or alternatively, a taxonomy and/or category may bespecified at the time that the user enters a comment or specifies thelocation input data. Explicitly specifying a taxonomy is not requiredand there may be a default or implicit taxonomy that applies to allvideos in a system; alternatively, a category may be left un-selectedand there need not be a default category.

At block 260, the process creates and stores a record associating theidentifier of the video program, the time value, the comment type andthe comment text. In this manner, the particular type of a particularcomment, as well as the comment itself and the time value of thelocation or point at which the user signaled making the comment, becomebound and associated with an identifier of the video program and storedin a record. Optionally, the category and/or taxonomy also may be storedin the record at block 260. In some embodiments, block 260 may comprisereceiving a recording of audio or video representing a comment, ratherthan text, and associating the recording with the video program. Forexample, in some embodiments block 256, 258, 260 may be arranged tocause a graphical user interface to prompt or permit the user to recordvideo via an attached webcam and microphone, store and upload the video,and then associate the new video as an annotation related to a specificmoment in time with respect to the video program.

At block 262, the process causes displaying, in the timeline at atime-synchronized position, a marker having a particular distinctiveappearance from among a plurality of appearances that correspondrespectively to the plurality of comment types. Thus, in an embodiment,a marker in the timeline indicates that a comment is associated withthat point in the playback time of the video, and the appearance of themarker indicates a type of the comment. Examples of distinctiveappearances include color, shape, size, and form. For example, in asystem having four (4) different comment types, markers may be displayedin the timeline using one of four (4) different colors, where each colorcorresponds to a particular comment type. Alternatively the markerscould be displayed with different icons, shapes or forms depending onthe comment type, or could use different sizes, orientations, or otherappearance attributes. The particular mechanism that is used to providea distinctive appearance is not critical provided that all commentsmarked in the timeline and having the same comment type can beidentified by a particular distinctive appearance.

In various embodiments, comments may be displayed in a scrolling reversechronological list of a plurality of comment items, where the commentitem comprises the time value, the comment input data, and a graphicalicon having a particular distinctive appearance from among a pluralityof distinctive appearances that correspond respectively to the pluralityof available comment types. Additionally or alternatively, an embodimentmay provide for displaying, near the player window, a scrolling reversechronological list of a plurality of comment items, where each commentitem in the plurality of comment items is for a previously enteredannotation and comprises a particular time value, particular commentinput data, and a particular graphical icon having a particulardistinctive appearance from among a plurality of distinctive appearancesthat correspond respectively to the plurality of available commenttypes, and where a first comment item in the plurality of comment itemshas a first particular time value that is at or after a current timevalue corresponding to a current point of play of the video program.

3.0 EXAMPLE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE 3.1 Adding a Video

FIG. 3A illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive basic information about a video. FIG.3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D illustrate example ways of obtaininginformation about a video as specified at block 250 of FIG. 2B.Referring first to FIG. 3A, in an embodiment, a screen display 300comprises a player window 302, a Basic Info panel 304, Tags panel 310,Supporting Materials panel 312, and Share panel 314. In an embodiment,Basic Info panel 304 comprises a title field 306, description field 307,and continue button 308. The title field is configured to receive usertext input specifying a title of the video shown in player window 302.The description field 307 is configured to receive user text inputcomprising a description of the video. Selecting the continue button 308causes posting the user input to a database record of the system andopening the Tags panel 310.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive grade tags and subject tags for a video.In FIG. 3B, the Tags panel 310 of FIG. 3A is opened, and comprises agrade widget 320 and a subject widget 322. In an embodiment, gradewidget 320 is a drop-down menu configured to accept a user selection ofan educational grade from among a plurality of configured grade values;grade values that are entered or selected are displayed in the panelbelow the widget and may be removed by selecting an X icon adjacent tothe value. In an embodiment, subject widget 322 is a drop-down menuconfigured to accept a user selection of an educational subject fromamong a plurality of configured subject values; subject values that areentered or selected are displayed in the panel below the widget and maybe removed by selecting an X icon adjacent to the value. The particularwidgets 320, 322 shown in the example of FIG. 3B may be used in anembodiment directed to educational use, such as evaluation of teachersor instructors; in other embodiments, the name, form, and values used inconnection with widgets 320, 322 may vary, and other embodiments mayhave one widget or more than two widgets.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive identification of supporting materialsfor a video. In FIG. 3C, the Supporting Materials panel 312 is opened,and comprises a supporting files widget 324 and links region having aURL field 326 and a name field 328. The use of a supporting materialspanel is optional in an embodiment, and some embodiments may omit such apanel. In an embodiment, the supporting files widget 324 is configuredwith a file selection button which, when selected, causes initiating afile browse dialog with which the user may select a file, such as agraphic image, on the user computer 120 or a network resource and uploadthe file to the system. The supporting files widget 324 also may beconfigured with a drag-and-drop region into which the user may drag anicon representing a file from another window displayed in the usercomputer 120, resulting in transferring a copy of the file to thesystem.

Additionally or alternatively, user input specifying a URL referring toa network resource may be received via the URL field 326, and the namefield 328 may be configured to receive user text input specifying a namefor the URL. Selecting the continue button 308 causes transferring thefile specified using the supporting files widget 324, and/or the inputprovided via fields 326, 328, to the computer 102 for storage in arecord associated with information identifying the video. Further, in anembodiment, the panel 312 is redisplayed and updated, as described next.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a supporting materials panel after certain data isentered. In an embodiment, FIG. 3D is the appearance of panel 312 afterentry of data as shown at FIG. 3C. The appearance of the supportingfiles widget 324 is updated to include a filename 330 of a file that hasbeen entered; the filename may be configured as an active hyperlink suchthat selecting the filename causes the user computer 120 to open anddisplay the contents of the file using an application compatible withthe specified file. In an embodiment, icons associated with selecting afile and the drag-and-drop function are retained in the panel 312. In anembodiment, the updated display of FIG. 3B further comprises a link name332 for a URL that was entered via field 326 of FIG. 3C, and uses thename that was provided via field 328. An add more links button 334 maybe configured to receive entry of one or more additional links using aninterface of the form shown in FIG. 3C for fields 326, 328.

In some embodiments, panel 312 may include a privacy checkbox which,when selected, causes the system to limit distribution of the documentspecified using the supporting files widget 324 to the owner of thevideo.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive group sharing information for a video.FIG. 4B illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface configured to receive group, taxonomy and visibility data fora video. In an embodiment, the share panel 314 is reached and expandedinto the views of FIG. 4A, 4B in response to a user completing actionwith respect to supporting materials as seen in FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D andselecting continue button 308. Referring first to FIG. 4A, in anembodiment, share panel 314 comprises a group input widget 340configured as a pull-down menu of configured group names that can alsoreceive user text input specifying a new group name. In an embodiment,selecting an Add to Group button 342 causes the current video to becomeavailable and thus added to the specified group. Selecting a Done button344 causes advancing to a video comment view, as described furtherherein.

The view of FIG. 4B shows an example in which the video has been addedto a first group 347 named “Clinton Elementary” and a state of the groupinput widget 340 has returned to a prompt state to suggest to the userto pull down the menu or type a group name. Further, panel 314 has beencontext-updated to display a framework selection widget 346, avisibility widget 348, and a download checkbox 349. In an embodiment,the framework selection widget 346 is configured to receive a userselection of a framework with which the video is to be associated. Theexample of FIG. 4B is structured for use in an educational application,and in the educational context certain taxonomies are termed frameworksor rubrics; in other embodiments, widget 346 may refer to a taxonomyrather than a framework, or may use any other label that is equivalentto a taxonomy in a particular context.

In an embodiment, the visibility widget 348 is configured to receiveuser input selecting one of a plurality of available visibility levelsthat specify what level of video access is to be granted to thespecified group; the selection and use of visibility levels is furtherdescribed herein in other sections relating to FIG. 9. In an embodiment,the download checkbox 349 is configured to receive user input indicatingwhether the group or its members are permitted to download a copy of theassociated video.

Using these processes, general information about a video may be enteredinto the system and the video becomes associated with a taxonomy fromwhich categories may be selected in other operations for associationwith the video. In an embodiment, storing a video in the system causesthe system to generate a unique identifier value for the video; theunique identifier is stored in storage 108 and may be used in someembodiments as a key value for queries and other operations that addressa database row representing the video.

3.2 Processing Comment Type Data

FIG. 5 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window, timeline, markers withdistinctive appearances, and comments. In an embodiment, a screendisplay 502 comprises a video player window 510 depicting, in thisexample, a frame of a video that was entered into the system by a userindicated by a thumbnail image 504 and having a title, user name anddate shown in the video window.

In an embodiment a timeline 512 is configured below or near the videoplayer window 510, and comprises one or more markers 514 that indicatelocations at which comments have been entered in a comment list 540comprising a plurality of comments 524, 526, 530. For purposes ofillustrating a clear example, the comments 524, 526, 530 are shown astext comments, but in other embodiments comments may comprise links oricons representing video files or audio files that contain comments andhave been associated with the video shown in the window 510. Timeline512 further comprises a play head indicator 516 which represents acurrent position of playback of the video. In an embodiment, timeline512 represents an entirety of a duration of the associated video, andmarkers 514 are displayed in the timeline at positions that areproportional, as a percentage of total video duration or playing time,to times at which the markers were created, as further described.

In an embodiment, a plurality of function icons 536 is configuredadjacent to the video player window 510. Selecting one of the functionicons 536 causes the system to display or prompt for additionalinformation as further described in other sections herein.

In an embodiment, each of the markers 514 is displayed using onedistinctive appearance that is selected from among a finite plurality ofavailable distinctive appearances for markers. For example, in oneembodiment, each of the comments in comment list 540 has an associatedcomment type from among a finite plurality of available comment types520. In the example of FIG. 5, the comment types are Questions,Suggestions, Strengths, Notes, but in other embodiments, other commenttypes may be used and there may be more or fewer than four (4) commenttypes. In an embodiment, each of the comment types 520 is associatedwith a particular distinctive appearance; in the example of FIG. 5, thedistinctive appearance is color. Thus, in an embodiment, Questions,Suggestions, Strengths, Notes are associated respectively with orange,green, blue, and yellow, but in other embodiments, other colors orappearances may be used.

Further, in an embodiment, the comment types 520 each indicate a numberof comments in the comment list 540 that correspond to that commenttype. For example, in FIG. 5 the comment types 520 indicate that thereis one (1) Questions type comment in the list 540, three (3) Strengthtype comments in the list, and two (2) Notes type comments.

In an embodiment, using a comment control widget 518, an order ofcomments in the comment list 540 may be changed from a chronologicalordering according to successive points in the video from the start ofthe video to the end of the video (a timeline view) or according to adate and time at which a comment was entered (most recent view). In theexample of FIG. 5, the timeline view is selected. Consequently, commentsin the comment list 540 appear in the order in which markers 514 appear,from left to right, in the timeline 512.

In an embodiment, in the comment list 540, a first comment comprises atime indicator 522 having a distinctive appearance, a text 524, an imagethumbnail 506, and identification data 534. In an embodiment, the timeindicator 522 has a distinctive appearance that corresponds to one ofthe comment types 520. For example, if one of the comment types 520 isStrength and has a distinctive appearance of blue color, then the timeindicator 522 is also shown in blue, and includes a time valueindicating a specific time in the video at which the comment was made.In the example of FIG. 5, the time value is “4:37”. The text 524reproduces any comment text that a user entered. Note that a secondcomment text 530 is associated with a time indicator 528 having adifferent distinctive appearance—orange color in the example of FIG.5—corresponding to a different one of the comment types 520. In anembodiment, selecting the time indicator 522 enables the user to controlthe video playback by changing the play head to a different specifiedtime or time location in the timeline 512.

The image thumbnail 506 may be a graphical image of a face of a user whoprovided the comment. Comments may be provided to the system by theowner or subject of the video in video player window 510, or by anotheruser who is different than the owner or subject of the video. In anembodiment, the identification data 534 comprises a timestamp, ausername, and a comment type indicator. The timestamp indicates a timeat which the comment was entered and may be given in summary form, suchas “3 months ago”. The comment type indicator corresponds to one of thecomment types 520, typically in singular form, such as “Strength”,“Question,” “Suggestion,” “Note,” etc.

A first comment text 524 may be associated with a second comment 526 ofa second user indicated by a second graphical thumbnail 504 constitutinga reply to the first comment. A reply may be indicated by indentation.Entering a comment has the effect of causing the system to generate aunique comment identifier for the comment, for storage in a row of atable in storage 108 in association with comment metadata as previouslydescribed. Each such row also may include the unique identifier of theassociated video, thereby binding a comment to a particular video.Further, a unique comment identifier of another related comment such asa reply may be stored in a row that represents a first comment, toenable associating threads of related comments.

The position of comment list 540 in relation to video player window 510is arbitrary and the comment list may appear above, below, or to eitherside of the video player window, or may be superimposed using varioustechniques. In some embodiments, the distinctive appearance of commentsin comment types 520 and/or the counts of comments may be implemented asactive hyperlinks which, when selected, cause the system to filter thescreen display to show only comments corresponding to a selectedhyperlink of a particular comment type or count in the comment list 540.

FIG. 6 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 configured toreceive comment type input and comment text input. For example, FIG. 6represents a screen display that the system may cause to be displayed inresponse to detecting user input that selects the play head icon 516 ata particular play position. Assume, for purposes of the examples herein,that the play head icon 516 is at time point “18:10” and that a userprovided user input selecting the play head icon at that point, tosignal the desire to enter a comment. In response, in an embodiment, thesystem causes displaying a comment entry panel 602 superimposed overvideo player window 510 and comprising a plurality of comment type tabs604, comment text field 608, taxonomy category selector 610, privacycheckbox 612, and submit button 614. For purposes of emphasizing commententry panel 602 to clearly indicate its features, in FIG. 6 theremainder 616 of the screen is shown in a grayed-out, blurred orotherwise de-emphasized format, but that treatment is not required in animplementation. In some embodiments, the video program continues to playin the video player window 510 during subsequent processing of a newcomment; additionally or alternatively, the program may be paused.

In an embodiment, the comment type tabs 604 are configured to receiveuser input selecting one of the tabs and to associate text entered incomment text field 608 with the selected comment type when the submitbutton 614 is selected. At any time during entry of a comment and beforethe submit button 614 is selected, the user may select a different oneof the tabs 604 to change a comment type with which the comment will beselected. In the example of FIG. 6, the Suggestion tab 606 has beenselected so the comment will be associated with a Suggestion type ofcomment. For purposes of illustrating a clear example, comment textfield 608 is shown with text comments, but in other embodiments commentsmay comprise links or icons representing video files or audio files thatcontain comments and have been associated with the video shown in thewindow 510. For example, panel 602 may comprise a prompt for the enduser to record a video using an attached webcam and microphone, or torecord an audio file using a microphone, and may implement logic tocapture the video or audio and associate it with the specified commenttype and with the video shown in window 510. Additionally oralternatively, panel 602 may include widgets, prompts or panelsassociated with a file browse or file open dialog with which the enduser may select a previously stored video or audio file to associatewith the current video as a comment. In addition, as further describedherein with respect to FIG. 13, a user also may associate an additionalresource, such as a PDF document, with the current video as a supplementto the comment.

In an embodiment, the taxonomy category selector 610 is configured toreceive user input selecting a particular category from the taxonomythat was specified for the video using the framework selection widget346 (FIG. 4B). Thus, the framework selection widget 346 constrains anddetermines the taxonomy categories that can be selected using thetaxonomy category selector 610. In the example of FIG. 6, the category“Manage student behavior” has been selected, but in other embodimentsthat use other taxonomies, the selected category and the availablecategory may be different. Further, the taxonomy category selector 610may be configured to display a taxonomy that is hierarchical, usingdisplay techniques or GUI widgets other than single-level pull-downmenus. It will be apparent that embodiments using processing as shown inFIG. 6 provide the benefit of associating both a comment type and ataxonomy category with a particular comment in a clear, direct graphicaluser interface that improves the efficiency of computer processingrelating to comment entries. Further, embodiments improve the accuracyof stored data relating to comments by supporting the explicitspecification of a comment type using a selector widget as previouslydescribed, and also permit performing new kinds of data reportingoperations that are based upon using the comment type as a key fororganizing and selecting videos and/or comments.

In some embodiments, the taxonomy category selector 610 or otherelements of comment entry panel 602 may be configured to receive userinput specifying a rating value for the taxonomy category that wasselected using the selector. In the example of FIG. 6, in which taxonomycategory selector 610 indicates category “Manage student behavior,” arating value could be concurrently received via a separate or integratedGUI widget. For example, ratings could be expressed as numerals,alphanumeric characters, stars, thumbs-up and/or thumbs-down icons, orother indicators of a degree of conformance to the category. Each ratingvalue is stored in association with comment data in a row of the storage108. Further, each rating value could be used in queries in relation tofeatures such as querying a video library to assemble evidence todemonstrate competency in various areas, preparing video clip reels orvideo highlight rules, and other processes, as further described herein.

In an embodiment, privacy checkbox 612 is configured to receive userinput specifying whether visibility of the associated comment should belimited to the owner or contributor of the video, or allowed for viewingby anyone who is in a group with which the video has been shared orassociated. In the example of FIG. 6, the owner or operator of the video“Writing Variable Expressions” is “Jennifer Fletcher” who would bedepicted in the thumbnail image 504, and different user, not identifiedin FIG. 6, is entering comment text 608; that user may determine byselecting the privacy checkbox 612 whether the comment is limited toviewing by “Jennifer Fletcher” or may be seen by all users in one ormore groups.

FIG. 7 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 in which thecomment type input and comment text input have been integrated anddisplayed in a comment list. For example, FIG. 7 depicts processing at astage after the submit button 614 of FIG. 6 was selected after entry ofdetails for a comment as shown in FIG. 6. In response, at a position ofplay head icon 516, a new marker 702 is displayed having a distinctiveappearance that corresponds to the comment type that was selected usingpanel 602.

In an embodiment, the display is further updated to display the newcomment 704 that was entered, with a time indicator 706 having a timevalue corresponding to the position of the play head icon 516 and adistinctive appearance that corresponds to a comment type 520 with whichthe comment is associated. The time value is “18:10” in this example,but other comments entered at different times would have time valuesthat match the position of the play head in the video at the time ofentering the comment. The new comment 704 further comprisesidentification data 710 that specifies a user name, an actual orapproximate timestamp, and a comment type. In the example of FIG. 7, theuser name is “Demo U.”, the approximate timestamp is “4 minutes ago,”and the comment type is “Suggestion”; the comment type value may bedisplayed using a distinctive appearance corresponding to one of thecomment types 520 and to an appearance of the time indicator 706. Newcomment 704 further comprises text 708, and a taxonomy tag 712 thatreproduces one of the categories in the taxonomy with which the video isassociated. Some embodiments may omit taxonomy tag 712 from comments inthe comment list 540.

In an embodiment, the new comment 704 is displayed having an appearancethat is highlighted or otherwise different in appearance than apreviously entered comment 705 or other prior comments. The use of adistinct appearance, such as highlighting, for the newly entered comment704 helps improve user confidence in the system by directing a focus ofattention to the new comment so that the user can receive visualconfirmation that the comment was saved and entered.

Using the approach of FIG. 6, FIG. 7, computers can more efficiently andcompactly display information relating to comments or annotations aboutan audiovisual program such as a digitally recorded video. Inparticular, a comment display having the form seen in FIG. 7 efficientlyassociates a large number of information relating to a comment,including: text; a playback time position in the video; a comment typeindicated by a distinctive appearance and a label; a user; a timestampat which the comment was made; a taxonomy category. The uniqueassociation of a video, comment, comment type, and taxonomy categoryenables generating summaries and reports of a variety of types based oncomment type and taxonomy category. The processes described herein forFIG. 6, FIG. 7 may be repeated any number of times at the same positionof play head icon 516 or at different positions; thus, any number ofcomments may be created and saved with respect to the same time value706 and/or the same position of the play head icon.

FIG. 8 illustrates the example screen display of FIG. 5 in which aposition of a play head has changed as a result of user input and thecomment list is redisplayed in time synchronization with the position ofthe play head. The example of FIG. 5 illustrates processing anddisplaying when user input has selected a different particular marker804 in the timeline 512 as opposed to the markers selected in otherviews. Selecting a different particular marker 804 may comprise, forexample, using a pointing device to click on a marker in the timeline512, tapping the marker using a touch gesture, or other selection means.As another example, selecting the time indicator 522 enables the user tocontrol the video playback by changing the play head to a differentspecified time or time location in the timeline 512. In response, thesystem causes moving the play head icon 516, and the associated point ofplayback of the video, to a point earlier in the video corresponding tothe particular marker 804. Further, the comment list 540 is concurrentlyupdated to display, first, a comment 806 that corresponds to theselected particular marker 804.

The displayed comment 806 may include, for example, a time indicator 808showing the time point of the selected particular marker 804, using adistinctive appearance that corresponds to the comment type that wasstored in association with the comment. The comment list 540 also may beupdated to display all other stored comments that are associated withmarkers for positions later in time than the selected particular marker804. Using these techniques, markers in timeline 512 may serve as activejump points to permit a user to rapidly select a comment at a particularpoint in the video program and to cause the video display window 510 toautomatically sync to that point while concurrently displaying thecomment at that point and later comments. In an embodiment, selectingthe time indicator 808 enables the user to control the video playback bychanging the play head to a different specified time or time location inthe timeline 512.

In an embodiment, output similar to that of FIG. 8 also may be generatedand displayed in response to playing the video in video display window510. For example, playing the video may cause play head icon 516 toadvance in the timeline 512, and may concurrently cause the comment list540 to scroll as the play head icon reaches successive markers, therebydisplaying, as the first comment in the comment list, a particularcomment that is associated with that marker that was most recentlyreached or passed. In some embodiments, screen display 502 may comprisea scroll toggle control that may be used to disable such automaticscrolling of the comment list 540 in synch with the markers or the playhead icon 516.

In various embodiments, selecting a particular marker 804 causes thevideo program to begin playing automatically at the point in time withinvideo playback that is associated with the particular marker.Alternatively, selecting the particular marker 804 may cause moving theplay head 516 to the position of the selected particular marker anddisplay a freeze-frame of the video program at that point.

3.3 Processing Sharing Functions

FIG. 9 illustrates an example panel of a graphical user interface thatprovides sharing data for a video. FIG. 10 illustrates the example panelof FIG. 9 in which a new group has been added to the sharing data. In anembodiment, selecting one of the plurality of function icons 536 (FIG.5) causes displaying a pop-up window, panel or other GUI screen displayhaving the form of FIG. 9, FIG. 10. Referring first to FIG. 9, in anembodiment, a screen display 902 generally comprises a sharing table904, sharing widget 920, add button 922, and save button 924.

In an embodiment, the sharing table 940 is organized as zero or morerows in which each row represents a group and sharing permissions valuesassociated with that group. Sharing table 940 further comprises, foreach row, columns indicating a group value 906, framework 908, commentcount 910, sharing levels 912, and download availability 914. In anembodiment, group value 906 indicates the name of a group with which thecurrent video has been shared. For example, group value 906 may indicatethe name(s) of group(s) that were specified using share panel 314 (FIG.4A, FIG. 4B). In an embodiment, framework 908 indicates a taxonomy suchas a framework or rubric that has been associated with the currentvideo. For example, framework 908 may match a framework that wasselected using framework widget 346 (FIG. 4B). In an embodiment, if aframework has not been specified for a particular group, then the columnfor framework 908 displays a framework selection widget 916. A value forframework 908 for a particular group may be modified by selecting theframework selection widget 916 and then selecting a framework ortaxonomy. In the example of FIG. 9, framework selection widget 916 isdisplayed because the system has determined that a framework was notselected when the sharing instance was originally created.

In an embodiment, comment count 910 indicates a count for each type ofcomment that has been entered or stored, correlated to the plurality ofcomment types. For example, when four (4) comment types have beendefined, the comment count 910 includes four (4) separate counts showingtotal numbers of comments of each of the comment types that have beenreceived and stored in the system. In an embodiment, the names andcounts of the comment types are displayed using a distinctive appearancethat matches the distinctive appearance of the same comment type inother screen displays of the system. For example, the same color codingmay be used as described in connection with FIG. 5. Counts may be fortext comments, audio comments, video comments, or the sum of all suchkinds of comments that have been entered.

In an embodiment, each value in the comment count 910 may be updatedasynchronously as users enter comments. Various forms of pushnotification or web page updating may be used to cause refreshing theweb page containing the screen display to include updated counts asusers enter comments. For example, in an embodiment, entering a commentinvolves a database row insert operation that is bound to a databasetrigger that pushes a notification to all online client computers usingweb sockets to provide the new row data and update the display.Alternatively, a page refresh can be used to pull all comments that wereentered during a session.

In an embodiment, values for sharing levels 912 indicate the values thatwere previously specified using the visibility widget 348 (FIG. 4B) forthe associated video. In an embodiment, sharing levels are displayedusing a sharing widget 918 that permits a user to change the currentsharing level of the video for the associated by selecting the widgetand then selecting a particular level, which will be enforced if thechanged setting is saved using button 924. In an embodiment, downloadavailability 914 indicates whether downloading was enabled usingcheckbox 349 (FIG. 4B). Values for download availability 914 may bedisplayed using an active checkbox that may receive user input to changethe value for download availability.

Selecting the save button 924 results in storing all data that wasentered in relation to screen display 902. In some embodiments, the datacould be saved as changes are made by the user without requiringselection of a save button 924.

In an embodiment, the sharing widget 920 is configured to receive userinput specifying another group to receive sharing privileges for thevideo. In some embodiments, the group name may be typed in or selectedusing a pull-down menu. In response to receiving user input selectingthe add button 922, the system is configured to add the specified groupto the table 904 and redisplay the screen display 902. Referring now toFIG. 10, an updated screen display 902 includes a new row 926 in table904 indicating data relating to the specified group that was added asdescribed for FIG. 9. Widgets 916, 918 may be used to specify a taxonomyor framework, and/or sharing parameters, for the newly added group shownin row 926. In an embodiment, multiple groups may be shared at the sametime by creating multiple rows, or a single sharing instance may shareto multiple groups so that one row is associated with multiple groups.As another alternative, the process described herein involving use ofsharing widget 920, add button 922, and row 926 could be implemented ina widget that is independent of table 904.

In an embodiment, the structure of FIG. 9 permits sharing a video to afirst group shown in group column 906 as part of a conversation relatingto a first framework 908, while concurrently sharing the same video tothe same group or a different group as part of a conversation relatingto a second, different framework 908. For example, in FIG. 9, thehypothetical video “Assignment 5” is shown as shared with five (5)different groups and four (4) or more different taxonomies orframeworks. Consequently, comments can be gathered from different groupsabout different frameworks, enabling the owner of the video to directthe video to (and obtain comments from) different groups that may haveexpertise or experience in evaluating different frameworks.

3.4 Other Video Information

FIG. 11 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which an information panel isopen. In an embodiment, user selection of an info tab 1102 from amongthe function tabs 536 causes the system to generate and display an infopanel 1104 superimposed over a portion of video player window 510. In anembodiment, the info panel 1104 displays a description other generalmetadata that the owner of the video entered at the time of registeringthe video in the system, as seen in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D.

In an embodiment, the info panel 1104 also displays a list 1106 of allgrade tags and/or subject tags that have been associated with the videousing grade widget 320 and subject widget 322 (FIG. 3B). The info panel1104 may also include a materials list 1108 that identifies one or morefiles or links that were specified via the interface of FIG. 3C andassociated with the video. Thus, the info panel 1104 and theconfiguration of the system enable the user to rapidly obtain a displayof metadata that has been associated with a video.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which a taxonomy categoryinformation panel is open. In an embodiment, user selection of a topicstab 1202 causes the system to generate and display a topics panel 1204comprising a categories list 1206 and a user list 1208.

In an embodiment, the categories list 1206 automatically indicates allcategories, of a “Teaching as Leadership” taxonomy that was specifiedvia taxonomy widget 346 of FIG. 4B, which have been associated with thevideo in comments that were previously entered and specified a categoryusing taxonomy category selector 610 (FIG. 6). In this manner, a usercan rapidly and efficiently obtain a list of categories that have beenassociated with a video across a large number of comments without havingto review individual comments or a list of comments; instead, the systemuses automated logic to identify all categories and generates a listcontaining a single category identifier for all categories that appearin comments. Thus, for example, list 1206 may include just oneidentifier for a particular category even if that category was specifiedusing taxonomy category selector 610 (FIG. 6) in a large number ofcomments. This approach provides a powerful way to rapidly visualize thecategories that are addressed in a large number of comments withoutsifting through, filtering or sorting all the comments to determinewhich categories are mentioned.

In an embodiment, user list 1208 comprises one or more thumbnail iconsindicating a face or other image associated with each user who hasentered a comment about the subject video. In this manner, a user canrapidly and efficiently obtain a list of users who have commented on avideo in a large number of comments without having to review individualcomments or a list of comments; instead, the system uses automated logicto identify all users and generates a list containing a single useridentifier for all users who entered comments, even if a particular userentered multiple comments at different times. Thus, for example, list1208 may include just one identifier for a particular user even if thatuser entered a large number of comments. This approach provides apowerful way to rapidly visualize all individual users who havediscussed or commented upon a video without sifting through, filteringor sorting all the comments to determine the set of unique users whohave commented.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example screen display of a graphical userinterface showing a video player window in which a next steps panel(denoted “Summarizing thoughts” in FIG. 13) is open. In an embodiment,user input selecting a summary tab 1302 causes the system to generateand display a summary panel 1304 superimposed over a portion of thevideo player window 510. In an embodiment, summary panel 1304 comprisesa text entry field 1306 that is configured to receive other comments bya user who may have commented on or viewed the video. Field 1306 mayserve as a text box for a coach or other viewer or user to suggest nextsteps or other actionable goals to the owner of the video; in anembodiment, the contents of the field are visible to shared groupmembers who view the video, by selecting the summary tab 1302. Forexample, a next goal could be to observe the teacher down the hall fortips on an issue related to the video owner's performance. In anembodiment, field 1306 may be configured to receive a selection,specification or upload of a video resource or file, and/or an audioresource or file, and the use of text input is not required.

In an embodiment, user input selecting an upload button 1308 causes thesystem to generate, in response, a file open dialog with which the usermay browse to and select an electronic document or other file to provideto the owner of the video. For example, advisory materials, whitepapers, slide presentations, or other documents may be uploaded andstored in the system to permit the owner of the video to accessinformation that the commenting user wishes to recommend or provide. Insome embodiments, summary panel 1304 may include a privacy checkboxwhich, when selected, causes the system to limit distribution of thedocument specified using upload button 1308, as well as all associatedcomments, to the owner of the video.

In an embodiment, a save button 1310 is configured to receive user inputspecifying to save the specified text from field 1306 and the documentthat was provided via button 1308.

3.5 Utility and Benefits; Extensions and Alternatives

Embodiments thus provide a flexible, efficient computer system that isconfigured to receive and associate metadata, including both commentsfrom among a plurality of comment types and categories in a taxonomy,with a video program and to provide rapid and efficient retrieval,filtering, aggregation and display of such metadata upon demand. Variousembodiments are useful in education, instructional coaching, publicspeaking, sales training, certification for professional industries,psychiatry, training or evaluation of professionals such as attorneys ordoctors, sports or athlete training, training of recruiters and/or otherfields of education, training or performance analysis. Embodiments donot require the use of comments by third parties, but also can be usedfor reflection and self-analysis with respect to a self-made or ownedvideo, or a third party video.

In some embodiments, computer 102 is configured to provide lists orlinks to all videos, or all parts of videos (clips) that are associatedwith a particular category in a specified framework. In such anembodiment, computer 102 may be configured to display user interfacepanels or widgets that prompt for selection of a particular taxonomy anda particular category. In response, the computer 102 searches database108 using the specified taxonomy and category as keys, and returns alist of videos that match the specified taxonomy and category.Additionally or alternatively, one or more elements of the computer 102may be configured to generate and display one or more video playerwindows each containing a freeze frame and a link to one of the videosin the list that matches the specified taxonomy and category.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more elements of the computer 102may be configured to generate and display a single video comprising acompilation of clips from each of the videos in the list that matchesthe specified taxonomy and category. In this manner, the owner of avideo, an administrator, or other user may use computer 102 toreassemble and package a set of video clips that are related to ataxonomy or category in the form of a summary reel or highlight reel topermit comparison of performance with respect to the specified category.

In some embodiments, generating video summaries in this manner issupported by creating and storing an endpoint time value for eachcomment. Additionally or alternatively, the system may prompt the user,at the time of entering a comment (FIG. 6), to select one of a pluralityof fixed pre-determined comment times, such as 10 seconds, 30 seconds,45 seconds of video for a comment. Additionally or alternatively, thesystem may automatically attach a fixed or default duration of videoplay to each comment.

In some embodiments generating a summary reel may be supported byquerying the storage 108 to obtain metadata for all videos with commentsthat are associated with a particular framework row; the system thenselects one or more sets of metadata, representing videos, from thatresult set. The system may be configured to adjust the duration of theclips to be consistent and to either output separate clips as examples,or reassemble the clips into a new video.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of using comment type information incombination with video time values and comments to create distinctfunctionality. As indicated at circle 1, in this embodiment colorindicates the comment type along with the word description(“Suggestion”). At circle 2, the marker replicates the visual indicatorused on the video conversation page (here the indicator is color) andindicates the relative position of the comment on the video timelinebased on the length of the video as a percentage (e.g. comment at 2:12,total run time 14:20). A text annotation appears at circle 3. In someembodiments, the display of FIG. 15 or other views showing comments(e.g., FIG. 5, FIG. 6) may also display the taxonomy category that wasselected using the selector 610. Further, links to video comments oraudio comments may be provided in the display.

4.0 HARDWARE OVERVIEW

According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein areimplemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices. Thespecial-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform thetechniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed toperform the techniques, or may include one or more general purposehardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant toprogram instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or acombination. Such special-purpose computing devices may also combinecustom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming toaccomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computing devices may bedesktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices,networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wiredand/or program logic to implement the techniques.

For example, FIG. 14 is a block diagram that illustrates a computersystem 1400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may beimplemented. Computer system 1400 includes a bus 1402 or othercommunication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardwareprocessor 1404 coupled with bus 1402 for processing information.Hardware processor 1404 may be, for example, a general purposemicroprocessor.

Computer system 1400 also includes a main memory 1406, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 1402for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor1404. Main memory 1406 also may be used for storing temporary variablesor other intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 1404. Such instructions, when stored innon-transitory storage media accessible to processor 1404, rendercomputer system 1400 into a special-purpose machine that is customizedto perform the operations specified in the instructions.

Computer system 1400 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1408 orother static storage device coupled to bus 1402 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 1404. A storage device 1410,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus1402 for storing information and instructions.

Computer system 1400 may be coupled via bus 1402 to a display 1412, suchas a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computeruser. An input device 1414, including alphanumeric and other keys, iscoupled to bus 1402 for communicating information and command selectionsto processor 1404. Another type of user input device is cursor control1416, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys forcommunicating direction information and command selections to processor1404 and for controlling cursor movement on display 1412. This inputdevice typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis(e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specifypositions in a plane.

Computer system 1400 may implement the techniques described herein usingcustomized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/orprogram logic which in combination with the computer system causes orprograms computer system 1400 to be a special-purpose machine. Accordingto one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computersystem 1400 in response to processor 1404 executing one or moresequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 1406.Such instructions may be read into main memory 1406 from another storagemedium, such as storage device 1410. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 1406 causes processor 1404 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions.

The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitorymedia that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine tooperation in a specific fashion. Such storage media may comprisenon-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media includes,for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 1410.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 1406. Commonforms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magneticdata storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium,any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction withtransmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between storage media. For example, transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise bus 1402. Transmission media can also take the formof acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-waveand infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 1404 for execution. Forexample, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk orsolid state drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 1400 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 1402. Bus 1402 carries the data tomain memory 1406, from which processor 1404 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 1406 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 1410 either before or afterexecution by processor 1404.

Computer system 1400 also includes a communication interface 1418coupled to bus 1402. Communication interface 1418 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 1420 that is connected toa local network 1422. For example, communication interface 1418 may bean integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem,satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connectionto a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example,communication interface 1418 may be a local area network (LAN) card toprovide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wirelesslinks may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communicationinterface 1418 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or opticalsignals that carry digital data streams representing various types ofinformation.

Network link 1420 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 1420 mayprovide a connection through local network 1422 to a host computer 1424or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)1426. ISP 1426 in turn provides data communication services through theworld wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to asthe “Internet” 1428. Local network 1422 and Internet 1428 both useelectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams. The signals through the various networks and the signals onnetwork link 1420 and through communication interface 1418, which carrythe digital data to and from computer system 1400, are example forms oftransmission media.

Computer system 1400 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 1420 andcommunication interface 1418. In the Internet example, a server 1430might transmit a requested code for an application program throughInternet 1428, ISP 1426, local network 1422 and communication interface1418.

The received code may be executed by processor 1404 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 1410, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention,and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention,is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue fromthis application, in the specific form in which such claims issue,including any subsequent correction.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A data processing method executed using one ormore computers and comprising: receiving a plurality of commentsrespectively associated with a plurality of video clips from a pluralityof videos stored in a video database; receiving comment metadataregarding each comment of the plurality of comments, including a commenttype of a plurality of comment types related to a video clip of theplurality of video clips, wherein each respective comment typecorresponds to a particular marker of a plurality of markers; selectingone or more video clips by applying the particular marker correspondingto the particular comment type to the comment metadata to identify theone or more video clips having comments that match the particularcomment type; identifying one or more comments of the plurality ofcomments where the particular comment metadata specifies the one or morecomments as matching the particular marker corresponding to theparticular comment type; determining, for each comment of the one ormore comments, the video clip associated with the comment based on oneor more time values in the comment metadata corresponding to thecomment; and creating and digitally storing a video library comprisingthe one or more video clips.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein eachrespective marker of the plurality of markers includes a graphical iconhaving a particular distinctive appearance of a plurality of distinctiveappearances corresponding respectively to the plurality of commenttypes.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the particular distinctiveappearance of the plurality of distinctive appearances are displayed viaa graphical user interface as having one or more of a particular color,size, orientation, or icon type.
 24. The method of claim 21, the commentmetadata regarding each comment of the plurality of comments furthercomprising a plurality of tags.
 25. The video processing method of claim21, further comprising selecting a group of users at least partly basedon privacy metadata associated with each comment of the one or morecomments and sharing access to the video library with the selected groupof users.
 26. The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving atleast a particular category of a plurality of categories, wherein theparticular comment type corresponds to the particular category; andreceiving one or more time values related to a video clip of theplurality of video clips.
 27. The method of claim 26, each category ofthe plurality of categories being defined by a taxonomy of a pluralityof taxonomies, the particular category, and the particular comment typespecifying a particular taxonomy of a plurality of taxonomies, and thecomment metadata specifying a taxonomy for comments associated with eachvideo of the plurality of videos.
 28. The method of claim 27, thecomment metadata regarding each comment of the plurality of commentsfurther comprising a rating value of at least one of a numeral, analphanumeric character, one or more stars, a thumbs-up, or athumbs-down.
 29. The method of claim 21, further comprising determining,for each comment of the one or more comments, a duration of the videoclip associated with the comment based on a user-specified duration oftime, a default duration of time, or a duration of time stored in thecomment metadata.
 30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring one or more instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to execute: receiving aplurality of comments respectively associated with a plurality of videoclips from a plurality of videos stored in a video database; receivingcomment metadata regarding each comment of the plurality of comments,including a comment type of a plurality of comment types related to avideo clip of the plurality of video clips, wherein each respectivecomment type corresponds to a particular marker of a plurality ofmarkers; selecting one or more video clips by applying the particularmarker corresponding to the particular comment type to the commentmetadata to identify the one or more video clips having comments thatmatch the particular comment type; identifying one or more comments ofthe plurality of comments where the particular comment metadataspecifies the one or more comments as matching the particular markercorresponding to the particular comment type; determining, for eachcomment of the one or more comments, the video clip associated with thecomment based on one or more time values in the comment metadatacorresponding to the comment; and creating and digitally storing a videolibrary comprising the one or more video clips.
 31. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein each respectivemarker of the plurality of markers includes a graphical icon having aparticular distinctive appearance of a plurality of distinctiveappearances corresponding respectively to the plurality of commenttypes.
 32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim31, further comprising sequences of instructions which when executed bythe one or more processors cause the one or more processors to executedisplaying the particular distinctive appearance of the plurality ofdistinctive appearances via a graphical user interface as having one ormore of a particular color, size, orientation, or icon type.
 33. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, the commentmetadata regarding each comment of the plurality of comments furthercomprising a plurality of tags.
 34. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 30, further comprising sequences of instructionswhich when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or moreprocessors to execute: receiving at least a particular category of aplurality of categories; wherein the particular comment type correspondsto the particular category; and receiving one or more time-valuesrelated to a video clip of the plurality of video clips.
 35. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34, eachcategory of the plurality of categories being defined by a taxonomy of aplurality of taxonomies, the particular category, and the particularcomment type specifying a particular taxonomy of a plurality oftaxonomies, and the comment metadata specifying a taxonomy for commentsassociated with each video of the plurality of videos.
 36. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 35, the commentmetadata regarding each comment of the plurality of comments furthercomprising a rating value of at least one of a numeral, an alphanumericcharacter, one or more stars, a thumbs-up, or a thumbs-down.
 37. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, furthercomprising sequences of instructions which when executed by the one ormore processors cause the one or more processors to execute determining,for each comment of the one or more comments, a duration of the videoclip associated with the comment based on a user-specified duration oftime, a default duration of time, or a duration of time stored in thecomment metadata.
 38. A computer system, comprising: one or moreprocessors; one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediacoupled to the one or more processors and storing one or more sequencesof stored program instructions which when executed causes the one ormore processors to execute: receiving a plurality of commentsrespectively associated with a plurality of video clips from a pluralityof videos stored in a video database; receiving comment metadataregarding each comment of the plurality of comments, including a commenttype of a plurality of comment types related to a video clip of theplurality of video clips, wherein each respective comment typecorresponds to a particular marker of a plurality of markers; selectingone or more video clips by applying the particular marker correspondingto the particular comment type to the comment metadata to identify theone or more video clips having comments that match the particularcomment type; identifying one or more comments of the plurality ofcomments where the particular comment metadata specifies the one or morecomments as matching the particular marker corresponding to theparticular comment type; determining, for each comment of the one ormore comments, the video clip associated with the comment based on oneor more time values in the comment metadata corresponding to thecomment; and creating and digitally storing a video library comprisingthe one or more video clips.
 39. The computer system of claim 38,wherein each respective marker of the plurality of markers includes agraphical icon having a particular distinctive appearance of a pluralityof distinctive appearances corresponding respectively to the pluralityof comment types.
 40. The computer system of claim 39, the storage mediafurther comprising sequences of instructions which when executed by theone or more processors cause the one or more processors to executedisplaying the particular distinctive appearance of the plurality ofdistinctive appearances via a graphical user interface as having one ormore of a particular color, size, orientation, or icon type.